Dionne Scherff

Dionne Scherff is an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at the University of Kansas School of Law. She is a practicing criminal defense attorney and a partner at Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC, specializing in federal and state criminal defense, including death penalty cases. Scherff has held roles as a prosecutor in Wyandotte and Johnson County District Attorney’s Offices and transitioned to defense in 2003. She is death penalty qualified in Kansas and has an extensive appellate practice, arguing before the 8th and 10th Circuit Courts.

Education:

• J.D., University of Kansas School of Law, 1991
• B.A., University of Kansas, 1989

Research & Expertise: Scherff’s work focuses on criminal defense strategies, trial advocacy, and appellate litigation. She has lectured at CLE seminars and served as a judge pro tem in Johnson County District Court. Her practice emphasizes protecting clients’ constitutional rights and securing fair outcomes in complex cases.

Awards:

• 2024 Clarence Darrow Award
• 2025 Best Lawyers® 'Lawyer of the Year'
• Repeatedly recognized in Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers®

Leadership & Affiliations: Scherff holds leadership roles in legal organizations, including the Kansas Judicial Council committees and the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is admitted to practice in Kansas, Missouri, and multiple federal courts.